Not Enough Air

TimeLine Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Not Enough Air by Masha Obolensky and directed by Nick Bowling. This world premiere drama follows famed journalist-turned-playwright Sophie Treadwell as she is drawn into the real-life tragedy of Ruth Snyder's famous 1928 murder trial. Treadwell is haunted by Ruth's story and finds herself compelled to bring it to the stage in the form of her landmark play Machinal, acclaimed as one of the highpoints of expressionist theater on the American stage. In this astonishing exploration of media sensationalism and ethics as well as interpretation and manipulation in the creative process, Obolensky illuminates the lives of two women who pushed against the limitations and expectations imposed upon them by society.

"We've been involved in the development of this remarkable new work over the last two years," TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers said. "Masha has been a true collaborator, wrestling with big ideas, making changes and treating the process like a laboratory to experiment. We are honored to premiere her dynamic new play for Chicago audiences."

Playwright Masha Obolensky is a director, playwright and performer. She has written and directed several original performance pieces, which have been presented in New York City by La Mama E.T.C., New Georges, Here Arts Center, 78th Street Theatre Lab, Access Theatre and The Director's Collective. A reading of her play Not Enough Air was presented at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education/Women in Theatre Conference in Chicago as the recipient of the 2006 Jane Chambers Award. It also was awarded First Prize by Boston Theatre Works and was presented in their 2005 Unbound Festival of New Plays.

Not Enough Air will run January 24 through March 22, 2009 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave.  To purchase tickets call 773-281-8463 or visit timelinetheatre.com.